The Lib Dems’ zero carbon target
The Guardian revealed some of the main policies promoted in the Liberal Democrat party’s 50-page statement titled “Taking The Lead”, which aims to make Britain completely carbon-free by 2050.
The statement includes; the total replacement of petrol driven cars by 2040, an end to civil nuclear power stations, an EU-wide taxation on the aviation industry and a commitment for a more ambitious ETS and post-kyoto agreements, among many more green ideals.
They hope that it will be adopted by future governments, however the Guardian speculates that it is far too idealistic for ministers to accept. So maybe this is just putting good ideas to paper for the sake of popularity, as some argue that the Lib Dems might never come to power.
“Lib Dems would set up a “leapfrog” fund to support clean energy projects in developing countries, boost flood defences at home, and invest in better-insulated homes, with “green mortgages” which would allow people to divert money saved on heating bills to pay for improving domestic insulation. A “tax pollution not people” approach would cut income tax, and reverse the decline in green taxation - which has dropped to Thatcherite levels under Labour, Sir Ming said.
Some of the party’s proposals are familiar, others highly technical. But Mr Huhne said last night that the statement - if endorsed by next month’s party conference - represents the first fully comprehensive policy from a major party. Sir Ming, who has given up his Jaguar XJS, said: “Climate change is a global problem that requires an international solution. Under our proposals the UK would set the green standard for others to reach.”